Natural Hazards Research Australia

We are proud to announce the appointment of Dr Robert Glasser and Dr Arnagretta Hunter to our Board of Directors. Their expertise in climate change, disaster resilience, health, and community wellbeing strengthens our leadership at a time when natural hazards are intensifying across Australia. As we farewell Dr Greg Ayers Ayres and Doug Smith, we honour their years of dedicated service guiding the Centre through growth, transformation, and the establishment of nearly 100 core research projects. Our Board reflects a diverse range of perspectives — from global policy and humanitarian leadership to health and climate governance — ensuring we remain focused on building safer, more resilient communities. With these recent changes, as a Centre, we reaffirm our commitment to ongoing research and collaboration that addresses the systemic risks facing Australia. 👉 Learn more https://lnkd.in/gUUG4QnK Iain MacKenzie AFSM MLshipMgt(Policing) Oliver Costello Dominique Hogan-Doran SC Tim Moltmann Kate Vinot Sandra Whight

❗Australian emergency management organisations can now access an innovative new tool to help teams navigate an increasingly uncertain future.   🌏This week we released our latest knowledge modules, Transformative scenarios in a climate-challenged world, introducing four plausible futures to help leaders and planners explore alternative pathways and identify gaps in current strategies, developed in collaboration with AFAC, Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience and Collaborative Consulting Co.   Built with extensive sector input, the modules are designed to be intuitive, relevant and ready to embed into real-world decision making.   This project benefitted greatly from the guidance of the AFAC Climate Change Group and the contributions of katelyn samson (AIDR), Matt Dyer (Queensland Fire Department) and Daniel Willetts (SAFECOM).   These modules represent another step in the Centre’s commitment to translating research into practical tools that support a more resilient future for all communities.   Learn more about accessing the modules: https://lnkd.in/g_bjZnkt Andrew Gissing Nicola M. Liza Gelt Rosie Chi Tran Gill Fletcher Michael Rumsewicz Deb Martindale Professor Cheryl Desha Supriya Gurung

It was great to host our panel session on flood resilience at the Hydrology and Water Symposium in Canberra today. I was joined by our amazing panelists Amisha Mehta Steve Muncaster and Christopher Pickett-Heaps. We widely discussed flood resilience and application of research. Key discussion points included: - Addressing worsening natural hazard risk via risk based land use planning and planning for community relocation. - Opportunities to improve flood readiness through the adoption of new research on seasonal flood outlooks. - Enhancing flood risk communication to enhance community decision making. Much is needed, but there was no doubt in the commitment of participants to address future challenges. Natural Hazards Research Australia Engineers Australia QUT (Queensland University of Technology) Bureau of Meteorology Victoria State Emergency Service

👩🏫Are you a postgraduate researcher studying how to make communities more resilient to natural hazards? Maybe you're looking into nature-based solutions for healthier landscapes? Improving the emergency management workforce? Applications for our Postgraduate Research Scholarships and Associate Student Program are still open! Our scholarship and associate programs support eligible students undertaking full-time study in a research area that aligns with the Centre’s research themes. Apply by 30 November 2025. Learn more 👇 Postgraduate Research Scholarships: https://lnkd.in/eVk9HwER Associate Student program: https://lnkd.in/gJiza7zi

Honoured to be representing Natural Hazards Research Australia and the #AJEM editorial committee at @AIDR's #RAA25 in Naarm/Melbourne. Supporting research with impact and the brilliant project team of the Community experience of the 2022-23 floods in SA, Victoria and southwestern NSW with Erica Kuligowski, Fiona Miller and Mel Taylor - Erica pictured here with Centre Science and Innovation Director, Professor Cheryl Desha.

🔥 What can Western Australia learn from the catastrophic LA fires? Centre Intern Anna Durkin (RMIT University) spoke to The Sydney Morning Herald about her internship with Department of Fire and Emergency Services. Anna is drawing lessons from the tragic LA fires to better prepare Perth communities for bushfires, identifying strengths and weaknesses. Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia said the research would be helpful for WA first responders. “Our first responders are using international insights to strengthen their knowledge of bushfire risk, which can only help Western Australians,” he said. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gcE86mu9

Four new research opportunities are now open for Expressions of Interest: 🔥Understanding ignition trends and agricultural fire risk - closes 8 December 2025 🌊Understanding tsunami risk to Australia from volcanic sources - closes 18 December 2025 🔥Effectiveness of roadside burning – case studies of planned burn/fire interactions: Phase 2 - closes 17 December 2025 ❗The role of AI in multi-language emergency warnings - closes 19 December 2025 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ggKVeqp3

Your participation in an eye-tracking study is needed to help improve bushfire map communication! 🔥 Researchers from our project 'Predictions in Public' with RMIT University, QUT (Queensland University of Technology) and Deakin University are conducting a study on how predictive maps are designed, communicated and understood by the public. More details: ▪️1 hour in-person eye-tracking session ▪️Held at RMIT's City Campus ▪️You will review bushfire maps and make decisions based on what you see ▪️You'll receieve a $50 Coles or Woolworths gift card as a thank you ▪️No prior experience required Your insights will help emergency management agencies improve how bushfire information is shared with communities. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g3HpkAGF Chloe Begg Erica Kuligowski Amy Griffin Paula Dootson Timothy Neale Deanna Grant-Smith Gabrielle Miller Gita Pupedis Philippa Perry

So pleased that our Natural Hazards Research Australia-funded research on "Community experiences of the 2022-2023 floods across Eastern and Southern Australia: A collaborative, multi-state research project" has been shortlisted as a national finalist for an Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience Resilient Australia National Research for Impact Award. This has been a massive collective effort, led by Macquarie University, and a huge team of researchers from across several universities. Our submission relates to one of the largest and most authoritative social science studies of community experiences of floods ever conducted in Australia, spanning five Australian states, involving 29 researchers from six universities, and working closely with stakeholders from across all levels of government, as well as industry, NGOs and community. In the wake of the devastating floods of 2022-2023, the research responded to the needs of key emergency and disaster recovery agencies who had direct input into shaping the research priorities and approach. This research has amplified the voices of people from flood affected communities, situating them at the heart of research outputs and discussions with multiple stakeholders. For further information on our research, see: https://lnkd.in/gVaKchvY It has been a great pleasure and privilege to work with such a dedicated team of researchers, including Mel Taylor, Erica Kuligowski, Bhiamie Williamson, Darryl S., Professor Kim Johnston, Barbara Ryan and many others. A full list of the amazing research on #disasters that has been shortlisted for the national awards is listed here: https://bit.ly/4r0FpfP Macquarie School of Communication, Society & Culture Geography&Planning @MQ

Are you a previous student of the Bushfire CRC, Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC or Natural Hazards Research Australia? ✅ If yes, we'd love to hear from you! We've been supporting postgraduate researchers for over 20 years. Your insights will help us understand graduate journeys, measure program impact, and strengthen future learning and workforce support. Access the survey: https://lnkd.in/gHyxeHj4 Professor Cheryl Desha Supriya Gurung Andrew Gissing Ethel Samalca